Republican Party Says No to Same-Sex Marriage

The Republican National Committee voted unanimously Friday to reaffirm the party’s commitment to upholding the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, upending party efforts to grow support among younger voters.

The Republican National Committee voted unanimously Friday to reaffirm the party’s commitment to upholding the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman, upending party efforts to grow support among younger voters.

A resolution introduced Wednesday by Michigan committeeman Dave Agema, who came under fire last month for posting an article describing gays as “filthy” on his Facebook page, passed the full RNC by a voice vote and without debate. A second resolution reaffirming “core values” of the party — including opposition to same-sex marriage — was also passed.

RNC officials collected the resolutions, which were opposed privately by some committee members, together with a resolution honoring Ron Paul and another calling for a sustained investment in the U.S. space program — an effort to avoid debate on the floor.

The very fact that the vote took place was seen by some Republicans as flying in the face of one recommendation in the RNC’s Growth and Opportunity Project report.

“There is a generational difference within the conservative movement about issues involving the treatment and the rights of gays — and for many younger voters, these issues are a gateway into whether the Party is a place they want to be,” the report stated. “If our Party is not welcoming and inclusive, young people and increasingly other voters will continue to tune us out.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” said one young Republican operative. Two former RNC staffers, Liz Mair and Marcu Nuñez, penned a column in National Review on Friday calling for the measure to be struck down.

The so-called autopsy urged not just correcting the party’s tone on the issue, but also to address its policies.

The report “opened a beehive,” said Iowa national committeeman Steve Scheffler. More than a dozen conservative leaders condemned the report’s urging for moderation on same-sex marriage in advance of the RNC meeting, warning their supporters would stop backing the party.

“We respectfully warn GOP Leadership that an abandonment of its principles will necessarily result in the abandonment of our constituents to their support,” the letter said.

On Thursday, evangelical leader Tony Perkins encouraged his supporters to stop donating to the RNC — a tactic he’s employed before to express displeasure with the party.

“Until the RNC and the other national Republican organizations grow a backbone and start defending core principles, don’t send them a dime of your hard-earned money,” Perkins, the president of the Family Research Council said in an email first obtained by CNN. “If you want to invest in the political process, and I encourage you to do so, give directly to candidates who reflect your values and organizations you trust-like FRC Action.”

Republican Party officials bristle at coverage of the controversy. “While we have to do things differently, there’s one thing that can’t and won’t change: our principles,” said RNC chairman Reince Priebus.

Mississippi committeeman Henry Barbour, one of the five authors of the GOP’s autopsy report, called the vote counterproductive earlier in the week.

“We need to focus on issues that unite us — that’s what’s in the best interests of our party,” he said. “What I want us to do is stand for our principals, but I don’t want us to be shrill. If we want to win elections — particularly general elections — we’ve got to talk about issues that unite us.”

Here is the full text of the RNC resolutions:

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING CORE VALUES OF THE 2012 REPUBLICAN PLATFORM

Whereas, the 2012 Republican Platform states, “our rights come from God, are protected by government, and that the only just government is one that truly governs with the consent of the governed,” (Preamble, p. i); and

Whereas, the 2012 Republican Platform state, “Faithful to the ‘self-evident’ truths enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to the unborn children.” (We The People: A Restoration of the Constitution, p. 13-14); and

Whereas, the 2012 Republican Platform states, “We uphold the right of individuals to keep and bear arms, a right which antedated the Constitution and was solemnly confirmed by the Second Amendment (We The People: A Restoration of Constitutional Government, p. 13); and

Whereas, the 2012 Republican Platform states, “We believe that marriage, the union of one man and one woman must be upheld as the national standard, a goal to stand for, encourage, and promote through laws governing marriage,” and “We embrace the principle that all Americans should be treated with respect and dignity,” (Renewing American Values to Build Healthy Families, Great Schools and Safe Neighborhoods, p. 31); and

Whereas, the 2012 Republican Platform states, “The greatest asset of the American economy is the American worker,” and “Just as immigrant labor helped build our country in the past, today’s legal immigrants are making vital contributions in every aspect of our national life,” and “Their industry and commitment to American values strengthens our economy, enriches our culture, and enables us to better understand and more effectively compete with the rest of the world; and

Whereas, the 2012 Republican Platform further states, “Illegal immigration undermines those benefits and affects U.S. workers. In an age of terrorism, drug cartels, human trafficking, and criminal gangs, the presence of millions of unidentified persons in this country poses grave risks to the safety and the sovereignty of the United States,” and “Our highest priority, therefore, is to secure the rule of law both at our borders and at ports of entry,” (Reforming Government to Serve the People, p. 25); therefore be it

Resolved, the Republican National Committee reaffirms our commitment to the core values of the Republican Party as stated in the 2012 Republican Platform approved by the delegates to the Republican National Convention on August 28, 2012.

RESOLUTION FOR MARRIAGE AND CHILDREN 2013

Whereas, the institution of marriage is the solid foundation upon which our society is built and in which children thrive; it is based on the relationship that only a man and a woman can form; and

Whereas, support for marriage has been repeatedly affirmed nationally in the 2012 Republican National Platform, through the enactment of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, (signed into law by President Bill Clinton), and passed by the voters of 41 States including California via Proposition 8 in 2008; and

Whereas, no Act of human government can change the reality that marriage is a natural and most desirable union; especially when procreation is a goal; and

Whereas, the future of our country is children; it has been proven repeatedly that the most secure and nurturing environment in which to raise healthy well adjusted children is in a home where both mother and father are bound together in a loving marriage; and

Whereas, The U. S. Supreme Court is considering the constitutionality of laws adopted to protect marriage from the unfounded accusation that support for marriage is based only on irrational prejudice against homosexuals; therefore be it

Resolved, the Republican National Committee affirms its support for marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and as the optimum environment in which to raise healthy children for the future of America; and be it further

Resolved, the Republican National Committee implores the U. S. Supreme Court to uphold the sanctity of marriage in its rulings on California’s Proposition 8 and the Federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Are we really giving this perverse thinking legitimacy, Would you really be comfortable having the gay agenda on an Equal Platform as what most of know as normal, Are you ready to have teachers in health an sex education teaching your Kids how gays make love, You must be insane, Your minds so polluted, you do not know right from wrong, Out of the closet is one thing, running our households is another story all togeather, Give humans enough time they will stoop to lows unthinkable.

How does same sex marriage affect any of you people? Are you that selfish not to allow other people the happiness they deserve? Personally id support it regardless of my sexuality. Its arrogant to not allow the happiness of other people just for your own personal beliefs. You don't need to be so rude. Just state your view and move on.

This thinking that comes from the dark ages, is what is killing the Republican Party. The moderates will all shift to the liberal side. The idiots of the Conservative Republicans do not seem to realize this should be a non-issue because it harms no one. However, Mr. Oblammy was genious to use it as a diveder of the republican party power base. The Ultra conservatives will be all that remains when Oblammy is done.

It says not to judge, but who's judging? Marriage is between a man and a woman. All rights are equal...straight men are allowed to marry woman, and a gay man is allowed to marry woman. what's unequal about that? two men may be life "partners" and get all the benefits of marriage. but it's not marriage therefore i vote to not give gay marriage. it doesn't and shouldn't exist. MARRIAGE IS BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN!

Yet again, the RNC bases its policies on hysteria instead of evidence. All they have to do is look at the states and countries which already have marriage equality to realize that their dire predictions and fears are baseless. Here's a musical reminder that when we legalize gay marriage, "Western Civilization Is Still Intact" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_Gz3yx2YGs

Who is "They"? If by "They" you mean the Republican party, then we could also say that the Democratic party tried to preserve slavery and that it was Democrats who tried to protect segregation. What a party was in the past and what it is now, are different matters. Also Mediicare is not a constitutional right. So your analogy does not work. Don't forget that DOMA was signed by Clinton. Life is more complex than slogans.

What I read from your posting is "Republicans are against gay marriage and I am angry with them for that." And THAT I understand. But your arguments themselves do not make any sense.

I want to meet these people who have so few challenges in life that they have time to worry about other people's relationships. Honestly, aren't there enough real problems in the world for us to pass on the issue of who gets married to whom?

BRB bringing sacred morality to a secular world and wondering why the secular world does not understand sacred folks.

God allows us to sin. You have no right, neither spiritually, legally, morally, or constitutionally, to tell another person how to marry.

I am tired of these self-righteous pseudo Christians making a big deal of poster issues like abortion and gay marriage when they don't give a crap about the starving children, immigrants, gun violence, disease, gambling, alcohol, tobacco, divorce etc and all the social ills of the world.

No those are real issues. Man banging a man is something religious conservatives can deal with.

It's great that the main leaders of the Republican Party are sticking up for morality. Some things never change, no matter how much you want to day dream-one of these basic principles upon which our society is built is the fundamental definition of marriage-one man, one woman.

Several times in the history of this spacial sphere, mankind has disavowed the existence of a superior being, i.e., God! The purpose of the universe, spiritual or scientific, has always proposed a logic to its rules and the manner in which it operates. Same sex sex and same sex marriage have never been a part of the operation of nature. Its only appearance has been with man. No other animal on the face of this planet executes this type of abnormal behavior. This is only the second triumph of Satan. The first was fooling mankind into believing that he does not exist either. The rest is chaos.

@studzilla97 Because it give validation to a perverse ideology, An you are not thinking about whats to come down the road , Do you really think its sane to teach Kids or anyone that two men or women having sex is O.k under any circumstance, If you do, Start Praying.

@rohit57 Number one was Ronald Reagan himself. He called it "socialized medicine."

Another thing: Why are you getting so defensive? And also, why are you trying to read my thoughts? As far as republicans beging against gay marriage, I couldn't care less. The message I have been trying to convey is that they will eventually have to deal with the fact that it's already here, and it's not going to disappear.

As far as DOMA is concerned, you're right. That was Clinton's doing. No argument there.

But to further my point, he has learned to deal with the fact that gay marriages are here, and he has since spoken out against two of his own proposals, Don't Ask, Don't tell, and DOMA.

Personally, I'm ambivalent about the whole thing. But I understand that it is happening, it is going to happen, and I just need to learn to get used to it.

And lastly, if my arguments don't make sense to you, that's your problem.

@faithbasedhate Not only that, there's no Biblical basis for trying force Biblical law on those who don't believe. In fact, 1 Corinthians 5:12 says "12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church[a] whom you are to judge?13 God judges[b] those outside. "

All of this in just a few months. That is a DRASTIC change. There is a ver obvious trend here, and it would not be foolish to extrapolate the final outcome based on social issues progress through history.

You have lost.

This is like a chess game between two grandmasters and one is up a pawn with a good position. The game might drag out for a while, but the outcome is decided.

@RobiRob Some things do change. Our society was built on the principles that women and blacks aren't as good as white men, however, we have moved past that in attempt to fullfill one of our other principles - equality under the law.

What's moral about a man marrying a man or a woman marrying a woman? In the same though, what's moral about praying to one God as opposed to two or three?

Are you confusing morality with tradition? Something like "Thou Shall Not Steal" is a moral and I can understand that. It's good for everyone because it's good for the economy and social order. But why is heterosexual marriage moral? Who gets hurt when gays marry and who gets unfair benefits? Do you ever challenge your own beliefs?

As Christians, we ought to understand what is secular and sacred. God never intended that we discriminate through law. There are many things in the bible that God forbids morally, but still "allows." What about outlawing divorce? What about outlawing greed? What about outlawing gambling and guns?

@going,going,gone No offense.. what does Satan or God have anything to do with running our government.. do you not understand what "Separation of Church and State" means ??? It means that the Satan worshippers cannot put their morales into laws over christians.... it also suppose to mean that religious views should not be in laws... Yet the Christian Right has went and put laws based on religion on the books. Our country was founded originally to get away from religious persecution.. and yet.. we come full circle to it again. Its going to be the religious right that causes another revolution... but this time... From religious persecution again... but probably also because they are not white, old, republican, have 20 weopons, etc...

@faithbasedhate@RobiRob ... Whats Moral has nothing to do with running our country... where in the constitution or laws does it say.. Every man and woman must follow Traditional Heterosexual Religious Values..... ohhh wait.. The State of Alabama has that law.. but so does Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman, syria... Congradulations the United States is on a one way ticket to being a religious extremist state... we are no different than the Muslim Brotherhood... all the right wind christians pushing their "moral" laws on everyone else whether they like it or not.. all its waiting for now is teams of christians with machine guns... and saying they are doing it in the name of god... ohh wait.. that happens already.. just without the guns.. atleast so far

@BrianMathies@Thetruthteller@RobiRob Well, apparently it wasn't that much of an issue to get Pres. Obama reelected, was it? And, Sen. McCain might be all that you say, but, socially, historically and ... this is Obama's TIME (no pun intended on our hostess, I swear!) "...and that's aall ah have to saiy about thait", as a certain friend of mine said, name of Gump... But you're durn right - most people vote with their hearts.

But in this case, evidently, it was. Also, keep in mind that he won during a bad economy, which is almost unheard of. So for America to first vote for an unknown candidate, who happens to be black, for the first time instead of a well-known, highly experienced white man by the name of John McCain, and then to vote for the same guy when he didn't do very well with the economy against a celebrated businessman who practically performed miracles in Massachussets, speaks volumes.

Also keep in mind that most of us vote with our emotions, whether we admit it or not.

@BrianMathies@Thetruthteller@RobiRob Oh, was Sen. (then Prez) Obama's race the issue? I thought the issues of the day were more the issue. And then again, wasn't Mr. Obama himself seen as a "compromise" between white folks and "black" black people (with a white mother and all, fairly light-skinned himself, an Ivy Leaguer, with the attendant elitist connotation, etc.); and hasn't his public presidential persona been perennially adjudged as being "not black enough" by sundry sectors of society, in a bid - it is inferred - to render him "more palatable" to whites?

Whatever, my dear fellow, the upcoming race (for early it comes) will hinge - mark this - not on race nor gender (nor age, really), but over and above on the national interest (a no-brainer for an ignoramus like myself), a national interest driven by the requisite sur-vi-val of American institutions, at home and abroad. There are forces that threaten the Republic, surely, most of them the usual suspects, but some new ones (?) that make the need for a strong America more pressing than ever. And thus, Brian, a Republican Government in 2016 is an imminent reality, whether we like it or not, agree with it or not. Let the pundits pund, otherwise.

@Peace_2_All Hey, Piece, you masochist, shouldn't you be with your liberal buddies over on the "GOP Rebrands" article? But thanks for the bonhomie, all the same, homie, he, he... Hey, wadeaminut! Weren't you supposed to keep your share of a certain bargain..?!